news, stories and updates from behind the scenes at the Hull History Centre

Saturday, 15 July 2017

Alexandra Dock

On 16 July 1885,
the Alexandra Dock was opened for traffic. It was constructed by the Hull,
Barnsley, and West Riding Junction Railway (H&BR) using powers obtained by
Act of Parliament in 1880. It was named after Princess Alexandra, wife of the
Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII). Sadly both were unable to attend
the opening ceremony. James Abernethy had
been appointed to design the Dock. It was constructed by the Hull firm of
Oldham and Bohn, and A. C. Hurtiz was appointed Resident Engineer. Despite
financial problems the Dock was built in the space of four and a half years.

Fresh water from the
Holderness Drain was used to fill the Dock. The hope being that this would
reduce the need for expensive dredging operations. While this measure may have
slowed the process of silting, this hope was dashed and the H&BR would
acquire three dredgers for clearing the Dock.

The formation of the
H&BR was prompted by a shortage of dock and railway accommodation for
handling imports and exports. Prior to the construction of Alexandra Dock, all
the docks were in the hands of the Hull Dock Company, and all the railways
connected with Hull were controlled by the North Eastern Railway (NER). These
companies were viewed by many – whether fairly or not – as not being responsive
enough to the needs of the City. The opening of this Dock, and its associated
railway, broke both of these monopolies; it was thus a source of rejoicing to
many.

Illustration of proposed Alexandra Dock, 1880.

When built it was the
largest dock on the East Coast. This was no vain attempt to impress, but a
response to a pressing need for larger dock accommodation at Hull; the late
nineteenth century saw the widespread adoption of steam motive power at sea,
and this had resulted in the advent of much larger ships.

Alexandra Dock was
instrumental in the development of Hull as a coal port. The H&BR Railway
was well connected to the developing coal fields of South Yorkshire, and the
expansion of this industry called for additional distribution facilities. The
coaling facilities established at Alexandra Dock facilitated this growth.

Illustration of Alexandra Dock.

The dock was very successful
with its modern facilities. By the twentieth century shipping links had been
established with Australia; Egypt; India; Cuba; the West Indies; Russia; and
North, South, and Central America.

Not all was rosy for
the H&BR however, for the company would find itself engaged in a ruinous
price war with both the NER and the Hull Docks Company. This price war would
lead to the amalgamation of the NER and the Hull Docks Company in 1893. It
would not be until the end of the 1890s that an understanding was reached with
the NER, and the two companies would collaborate towards the construction of
King George Dock.

On 25 July 1899 a small
extension of seven acres was opened. Despite its small size, it managed to
increase the amount of quay space by thirty percent and added four additional
coal hoists to the Dock. In 1911 dock accommodation was further increased by
the addition of a pier, which was built to handle perishable goods, general
goods, and passengers. The Pier included electric cranes, two additional coal
hoists, and two transit warehouses were provided for storage.

Alexandra Dock became
the property of the NER when the H&BR was merged with its rival in 1922,
which brought all the Hull docks and railways under the control of a single
company once again. The following year it became part of the London and North
Eastern Railway, which remained in control of the Port of Hull until
nationalisation in 1948. On the 30 September
1982, the Port closed to commercial traffic. However, following demands for additional
dock accommodation it was re-opened in 1991 with the rail connection having
been removed.

Alexandra Dock remains
in use to this day and is operated by Associated British Ports. The last few
years have seen the establishment of offshore wind turbine manufacturing
facility as part of Green Port Hull.